Download or read book HC 351 Role and Powers of thePrime Minister written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Political and Constitutional Reform Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2014-06-24 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many of the Prime Minister's powers are obscure "prerogative" powers, which are not well understood or defined. More of these prerogative powers should be codified in statute to make them more transparent and increase accountability to Parliament. Government should also consider consolidating the existing Prime Ministerial powers in one place - the way the role has evolved means there is no single and authoritative source of information on the powers. There is widespread agreement that the Prime Minister's role has increased in recent decades-including in policy making. Coalition government has to some extent constrained the powers of the Prime Minister but this might not persist under single-party government. The need for support by a majority of Members of Parliament and the Cabinet acts as a check and balance on the Prime Minister. However, these political mechanisms are not effective on a "day-to-day" basis. The Liaison Committee has the potential to be a very effective mechanism for Parliament to hold the Prime Minster to account, and should continue to improve the way it works. The Government should consider a role for Parliament in the investiture of the Prime Minister, or the Government, after a general election. Some consider that accountability of the Prime Minister would be strengthened by direct election by the public, US style. The Government could also consider the creation of a combined Department for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, with a departmental Select Committee specifically to scrutinise that Department

Download or read book Comparing Cabinets written by Patrick Weller and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2021 with total page 277 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why is cabinet government so resilient? Despite many obituaries, why does it continue to be the vehicle for governing across most parliamentary systems? Comparing Cabinets answers these questions by examining the structure and performance of cabinet government in five democracies: the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Australia. The book is organised around the dilemmas that cabinet governments must solve: how to develop the formal rules and practices that can bring predictability and consistency to decision making; how to balance good policy with good politics; how to ensure cohesion between the factions and parties that constitute the cabinet while allowing levels of self-interest to be advanced; how leaders can balance persuasion and command; and how to maintain support through accountability at the same time as being able to make unpopular decisions. All these dilemmas are continuing challenges to cabinet government, never solvable, and constantly reappearing in different forms. Comparing distinct parliamentary systems reveals how traditions, beliefs, and practices shape the answers. There is no single definition of cabinet government, but rather arenas and shared practices that provide some cohesion. Such a comparative approach allows greater insight into the process of cabinet government that cannot be achieved in the study of any single political system, and an understanding of the pressures on each system by appreciating the options that are elsewhere accepted as common beliefs.

Download or read book Politics UK written by Bill Jones and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-03-16 with total page 880 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This revised and updated ninth edition of the bestselling textbook Politics UK is an indispensable introduction to British politics. It provides a thorough and accessible overview of the institutions and processes of British government, a good grounding in British political history and an incisive introduction to the issues and challenges facing Britain today, including the European referendum and Brexit. The ninth edition welcomes brand new material from seven new contributors to complement the rigorously updated and highly respected chapters retained from the previous edition. It delivers excellent coverage of contemporary events including a new chapter on Euro-scepticism and the European referendum, an assessment of the performance of Labour’s leadership, the trials and tribulations of the Liberal Democrats and UKIP, and the evolving devolution debate in Scotland, led by the Scottish Nationalist Party. Features of the new edition include: Britain in context boxes offering contrasting international perspectives on key themes in British politics A comprehensive ‘who’s who’ of politics in the form of Profile boxes featuring key political figures And another thing . . . pieces containing short articles written by distinguished commentators including Mark Garnett, Sir David Omand, Richard Wilkinson and Sir Simon Jenkins An epilogue analyzing the turbulent state of UK politics following the European referendum With chapters written by highly respected scholars in the field and contemporary articles on real-world politics from well-known political commentators, this textbook is an essential guide for all students of British politics.

Download or read book The Royal Prerogative and Constitutional Law written by Noel Cox and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2020-08-31 with total page 285 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines the royal prerogative in terms of its theory, history and application today. The work explores the development of the royal prerogative through the evolution of imperial government, and more recent structural changes in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the Commonwealth. While examining specific prerogative powers, the development of justiciability of the prerogative, and the exercise of the prerogative, it lays bare the heart of constitutionality in the Westminster system of government. There is said to be a black hole of unaccountable authority at the heart of the constitution and it is this which this book examines. The focus is upon the constitutional development of the United Kingdom and the old dominions of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This approach is comparative and historical, using specific case studies of such events as the dissolution of Parliament and the appointment and dismissal of Prime Ministers. The book will be of interest to academics and researchers working in the areas of Constitutional Law and Politics.

Download or read book A Theory of the Executive Branch written by Margit Cohn and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2021-02-24 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The executive branch in Western democracies has been granted a virtually impossible task: expected to 'imperially' direct the life of the nation through thick and thin, it is concurrently required to be subservient to legislation meted out by a sovereign parliament. Drawing on a general argument from constitutional theory that prioritizes dispersal of power over concepts of hierarchy, this book argues that the tension between dominance and submission in the executive branch is maintained by the adoption of various forms of fuzziness, under which a guise of legality masks the absence of substantive limitation of power. Under this 'internal tension' vision of constitutionalism, the executive branch is simultaneously submissive to law and dominant over it, while concepts of substantive legality are compromised. Building on legal and political science research, this volume classifies and analyses thirteen forms of fuzziness, ranging from open-ended or semi-written constitutions to unapplied legislation. The study of this unavoidable yet problematic feature of the public sphere is addressed descriptively and normatively. Adding detailed examples from two fields of law - emergency law and air-pollution law - in two systems (the UK and the US), the book ends with a call for raising the threshold of judicial review, grounded in theories of participatory and deliberative democracy. This book addresses an area that is surprisingly under-researched. Despite the increase in executive power across democratic polities and increasing public interest in the executive branch and executive powers, this much-needed book offers a theoretical foundation that should ground all analysis of arguably the most powerful branch of modern government.

Download or read book Text Cases and Materials on Public Law and Human Rights written by Helen Fenwick and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2020-12-14 with total page 1060 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book interweaves an authoritative authorial commentary – significantly expanded from the last edition - with extracts from a diverse and contemporary collection of cases and materials from three leading academics in the field. It provides an all-encompassing student guide to constitutional, administrative and UK human rights law. This fourth edition provides comprehensive coverage of all recent developments, including the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011, restrictions on judicial review (Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015), changes to judicial appointments (Crime and Courts Act 2013), the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum, Scotland Act 2016 and draft Wales Bill 2016. Recent devolution cases in the Supreme Court, including Imperial Tobacco (2012) and Asbestos Diseases (2015) are fully analysed, as is the 2015 introduction of English Votes for English Laws. The remarkable Evans (2015) ‘Black Spider memos’ case is considered in a number of chapters. The common law rights resurgence seen in Osborn (2013), BBC (2014) and Kennedy (2014) is analysed in several places, along with other key developments in judicial review such as Keyu (2015) and Pham (2015). Ongoing parliamentary reform in both Lords and Commons, including major advances in controlling prerogative powers, are fully explained, as is the adaptation of the core Executive to Coalition Government (2010-2015). There is comprehensive coverage of key Strasbourg and HRA cases (Horncastle (2010), Nicklinson (2014), Moohan (2014), Carlile (2014)), and those in core areas of freedom of expression, police powers and public order (Animal Defenders (2013), Beghal (2015), Roberts (2015), Miranda (2016)) and the prisoners’ voting rights saga, up to Chester (2015).

Download or read book The Changing Constitution written by Jeffrey L. Jowell and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2015 with total page 451 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since its first edition in 1985, The Changing Constitution has cemented its reputation for providing concise, scholarly and thought-provoking essays on the key issues surrounding the UK's constitutional development, and the current debates around reform. The eight edition of this highly successful volume is published at a time of accelerated constitutional change. This collection of essays brings together fourteen expert contributors to offer an invaluable source of material and analysis for all students of constitutional law and politics. Online Resource Centre This book is accompanied by an Online Resource Centre which includes updates on key developments, a 'library' of web links, and a timeline of key dates in British legal and political history.

Download or read book Public Law written by and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2022-06-02 with total page 817 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fresh, modern, and practical, Public Law provides law undergraduates with a unique approach to constitutional and administrative law, aptly demonstrating why this is an exciting time to be studying the subject. Writing in a fluid, succinct style, the authors carve a logical pathway through the key areas studied on the LLB, guiding students to a solid understanding of the fundamental principles. This theoretical grounding is then rooted in reality, with each concept applied to a hypothetical scenario (included at the start of each chapter) to set it into a practical context. While this practical element helps students to understand how the law applies and develop problem-solving skills, a trio of supportive learning features also encourages active engagement with and a critical appreciation of public law. 'Key case' boxes highlight and analyse the significant case law in each area; 'Counterpoint' boxes flag alternative viewpoints and areas of debate; and 'Pause for reflection' boxes prompt readers to consider the impact of laws, and what potential developments and reforms may lie ahead. Public Law's modern approach and unique combination of practical application and theoretically critical discussion makes it the ideal choice for students seeking to understand concepts not only in the abstract but in practice, helping them to develop the skills they need to succeed at university and beyond. Digital formats and resources This third edition is supported by online resources and is available for students or institutions to purchase in a variety of digital formats. - The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks - Online resources to support the book feature multiple choice questions, guidance on approaching and analysing the real life scenarios in the book, legal updates, and links to useful material elsewhere on the web.

Download or read book HC 938 Voter Engagement In The UK Follow Up written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Political and Constitutional Reform Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2015 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Following the Committee's interim report on voter engagement (HCP 323, ISBN 9780215078773), which was published in November 2014, and the substantial public consultation which ran subsequently, the Committee has now brought forward this final report on reengaging the public with elections in the UK. The Committee's key recommendations are: (1) That the Government bring forward plans to target those groups - including young people, British citizens living overseas and people with disabilities - who are currently least likely to be registered to vote; (2) That the Government consider improvements to electoral registration - including making registration automatic, prompting people to register to vote when they access other public services, and registering young people in schools, colleges and universities; (3) That changes to electoral arrangements - including online voting, registering closer to or on Election Day and holding elections at the weekend - be piloted in the next Parliament with a view to making permanent changes to electoral arrangements ahead of the 2020 general election. The Committee recognises that the main reasons for low levels of voter engagement are political, and serious action needs to be taken by political parties, individual politicians and the Government to engage more effectively with the public, and convince them of the value of voting if the public is to be re-engaged not just with elections, but politics more broadly.

Download or read book HC 1128 The Work of the Committee in the 2010 Parliament written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Political and Constitutional Reform Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2015 with total page 33 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee was established in June 2010 to consider political and constitutional reform. Over the last five years the Committee has scrutinised the Government's substantial programme of political and constitutional reform - which included fixing the term of a Parliament, bringing forward proposals for recalling MPs, establishing a register of third party lobbyists and implementing Individual Electoral Registration. The establishment of a dedicated select committee to consider these matters has brought additional parliamentary scrutiny to a substantial part of the Government's programme. Should the next Government plan to take forward constitutional reform, a select committee be established to examine the Government's proposals, to keep the progress of any political and constitutional reform under regular review, and to continue the work this Committee has undertaken. The Committee has also highlighted the extent to which it has engaged the public with it's work through consultations and increased use of social media, online surveys and informal events. This public engagement is one of it's greatest innovations, and something which it encourages other committees to adopt in the future

Download or read book Parliamentary Sovereignty in the UK Constitution written by Michael Gordon and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2015-04-30 with total page 380 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The status of the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty in the contemporary UK Constitution is much contested. Changes in the architecture of the UK Constitution, diminishing academic reverence for the doctrine, and a more expansive vision of the judicial role, all present challenges to the relevance, coherence and desirability of this constitutional fundamental. At a time when the future of the sovereignty of Parliament may look less than assured, this book develops an account of the continuing significance of the doctrine. It argues that a rejuvenation of the manner and form theory is required to understand the present status of parliamentary sovereignty. Addressing the critical challenges to the doctrine, it contends that this conception of legally unlimited legislative power provides the best explanation of contemporary developments in UK constitutional practice, while also possessing a normative appeal that has previously been unrecognised. This modern shift to the manner and form theory is located in an account of the democratic virtue of parliamentary sovereignty, with the book seeking to demonstrate the potential that exists for Parliament – through legislating about the legislative process – to revitalise the UK's political constitution.

Download or read book The UK Constitution after Miller written by Mark Elliott and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2018-07-26 with total page 447 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The judgment of the UK Supreme Court in R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union is of fundamental legal, constitutional and political significance. The Supreme Court's judgment discussed the relative powers of Parliament and the Government, the relationship between Westminster and the devolved legislatures, and the extent to which the UK's membership of the EU had changed the UK constitution, both prior to and even after departure. It also provided further evidence of the emerging role of the UK's Supreme Court as a constitutional court, despite the lack of a codified constitution in the UK. This edited collection critically evaluates the decision in Miller, providing a detailed analysis of the reasoning in the judgment and its longer-term consequences for the UK constitution through the period of Brexit and beyond. The case is used as a lens through which to evaluate the modern UK constitution and its potential future evolution. Whatever form Brexit may eventually take, the impact that EU membership and the triggering of Brexit has already had on the UK's constitutional settlement is profound. The book will be of great value to anyone interested in the effect of the Miller case and Brexit on the UK's constitution.

Download or read book Parliament s Secret War written by Veronika Fikfak and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2018-02-22 with total page 378 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The invasion of Iraq in 2003, and the Coalition Government's failure to win parliamentary approval for armed intervention in Syria in 2013, mark a period of increased scrutiny of the process by which the UK engages in armed conflict. For much of the media and civil society there now exists a constitutional convention which mandates that the Government consults Parliament before commencing hostilities. This is celebrated as representing a redistribution of power from the executive towards a more legitimate, democratic institution. This book offers a critical inquiry into Parliament's role in the war prerogative since the beginning of the twentieth century, evaluating whether the UK's decisions to engage in conflict meet the recognised standards of good governance: accountability, transparency and participation. The analysis reveals a number of persistent problems in the decision-making process, including Parliament's lack of access to relevant information, government 'legalisation' of parliamentary debates which frustrates broader discussions of political legitimacy, and the skewing of debates via the partial public disclosure of information based upon secret intelligence. The book offers solutions to these problems to reinvigorate parliamentary discourse and to address government withholding of classified information. It is essential reading for anyone interested in war powers, the relationship between international law and domestic politics, and the role of the Westminster Parliament in questions of national security.

Download or read book Public Law Directions written by Anne Dennett and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2021 with total page 533 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A considered balance of depth, detail, context, and critique, Public Law Directions offers the most student-friendly guide to the subject; empowering students to evaluate the law, understand its practical application, and approach assessments with confidence.

Download or read book Britain s War Powers written by Tara McCormack and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-05-04 with total page 133 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a state of the art discussion of the royal prerogative over war powers in the UK. This issue has received particular attention over proposed military strikes against the Syrian regime and it was claimed by many observers and scholars that parliament now controls decisions in war. However, the record has been mixed– and the most recent decision by Prime Minister May on Syria in 2018 shows that the executive can re-assert prerogative powers and effectively sidestep parliament. The author argues that these dynamics should be seen in the context of the declining authority of the executive and the legislature and in terms of a policy solution, and ultimately she suggests a War Powers Act as a firmer foundation for Britain’s war powers.

Download or read book HC 600 What Next on the Redrawing of parliamentary Constituency Boundaries written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Political and Constitutional Reform Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2015 with total page 61 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 fundamentally changed the way in which reviews of parliamentary constituencies boundaries are conducted. The new rule requiring the electorate of all but four constituencies to be within 5% of the UK average number of electors for a constituency meant that the Boundary Commissions were unable to give adequate consideration to other factors. Although there is a case for the electorates of parliamentary constituencies to be more equal than is the case at present, the Boundary Commissions must be able to take a balanced approach to various considerations-including reflecting local ties and limiting disruption to existing constituencies. If no action is taken, the next boundary review will commence in early 2016. It is recommended that the rules be changed-including relaxing the 5% rule and reversing the reduction of the number of parliamentary constituencies to 600-ahead of the next boundary review. To achieve this, the next Government should make a statement no later than June 2015 on its policy on the rules for the distribution of parliamentary constituencies. This statement should respond to the recommendations set out in this report. The Government should in July 2015 publish a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny and introduce a Bill in the autumn of 2015 to receive Royal Assent by early 2016.

Download or read book Unlocking Constitutional and Administrative Law written by Mark Ryan and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2023-02-21 with total page 1128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unlocking Constitutional and Administrative Law provides an indispensable foundation in this core law curriculum subject, ensuring that you grasp the main concepts with ease. Containing accessible explanations in clear and precise terms that are easy to understand, it provides an excellent foundation for learning and revising Constitutional and Administrative Law. The information is clearly presented in a logical structure and the following features support learning, helping you to advance with confidence: Clear aims and objectives at the beginning of each chapter set out the skills and knowledge you will need to get to grips with the subject Key Facts summaries throughout each chapter allow you to progressively build and consolidate your knowledge Diagrams to aid memory and understanding Cases and judgments are highlighted to help you find them and add them to your notes quickly End-of-chapter summaries provide a useful checklist for each topic Frequent activities and self-test questions are included so you can put your knowledge into practice Glossary of legal terminology clarifies important definitions. This edition has been fully updated to include discussion of recent changes, issues and developments since the last edition, including an expanded section on Brexit, proposed changes to Judicial review, developments in Wales, Ireland and Scotland, recent Bills raising issues concerning the rule of law, and a new chapter on the constitutional impact of COVID-19.